Local auditions & tryouts
• The 38th Annual Custer's Last Stand is seeking arts and crafts exhibitors and vendors for its festival from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 19-20, in downtown Evanston. Call (847) 328-2204 or visit custerfair.com for more information.
• The Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra has auditions by appointment for its 2010-11 season through Sunday, May 23, at Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. An extra day has also been added on Thursday, June 10. Auditions are open to students fourth grade to college age for the organization's five orchestras and brass ensemble. There is a $45 audition fee per instrument. Call (847) 841-7700 or visit eyso.org for more information.
• Up & Coming Theatre has auditions for the musical "Hairspray" from 7 to 10 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, May 24-25, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 3201 Meadow Drive, Rolling Meadows. Auditions are open for ages 11 and up, and those auditioning should prepare a 32-bar song and be prepared to dance. Visit uactheatre.com for more information.
• ArtReach Educational Theatre & Spotlite Theatrix Production Company has auditions for the musical "Fame" as part of its Teen Rehearsal & Performance Workshop. Auditions are from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 27, at Bethel Lutheran Church, 3839 W. Frontage Road, Palatine. Those auditioning should prepare a musical theater selection and be prepared to dance. Teenagers and adults are also needed for volunteer positions. Call (630) 808-5852 or visit artreachspotlite.com for more information.
• The Marriott Theatre seeks young African-American girls (ages 10 and under) that can sing and act for the role of Little Ti Moune in the 1990 Broadway musical "Once on This Island." Auditions are from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, May 28, at the Marriott Theatre Rehearsal Warehouse, 1342 Barclay Blvd., Buffalo Grove. For more information and to schedule an appointment, e-mail Peter Sullivan at Peter.Sullivan@Marriott.com. Visit marriotttheatre.com for show dates and general audition information.
• Highland Park Players has auditions for the 1977 Broadway musical "Annie" from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, June 1 and 3. Kids ages 7 and up audition between 7 and 8 p.m., while adults 16 and older audition from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Prepare a 16-bar song and be prepared to do cold readings from the script and dance. Visit highlandparkplayers.com.
• The Chicagoland Ambassadors High School Show Choir has auditions for its 2010-11 elite show choir. Those interested should prepare a one-minute song (preferably in a Broadway or pop style) and wear appropriate shoes for a dance audition. Auditions are from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 4, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 5, at the Hinsdale Youth Center, 229 Symonds Drive, Hinsdale. Call (630) 665-7464 to schedule an audition, or visit risingstarsshowchoir.com.
• Artists of all media are invited to submit one piece to Volo Bog's Third Annual Summer Bog Art Show, which runs from Friday, July 2, through Saturday, Aug. 7. The piece must be representative of and/or inspired by bogs. Submissions are accepted from Wednesday, June 9, through Wednesday, June 30. For more information, call (815) 344-1294 or visit FriendsofVoloBog.org.
• Performing artists interested in joining a fundraiser for Esperanza School (which helps students with disabilities) at Summerfest are invited to sign up by Thursday, June 17. Call (312) 243-6097 for more information.
• Illinois artists are invited to submit applications to the Illinois Artisans Program. Submission deadline is Friday, Sept. 10. Visit museum.state.il.us/artisans.